This IKEA Expandable Dining Table Is Perfect for Small Spaces (I’ve Had It for 10 Years!)

My husband and I have always lived in apartments. It’s just the two of us and our dog, and small-space living suits us and our lifestyle. But years ago, when I was feeling the itch to part with some hand-me-down furniture we had acquired, I craved a dining table fit for hosting. I dreamed of brunches with family and dinner parties with friends, which required a table that could fit more than four. The only problem was our tiny dining room, and the fact that the majority of the time spent at home was just the two of us. Did we really need a sprawling dining room table with room for six, or even eight? We headed to IKEA and, luckily, stumbled upon the perfect solution: the ROSENTORP extendable table. 

IKEA knows a thing or two about small-space living, and we were so relieved to find the ROSENTORP extendable table. Priced at $399.99, it’s a white, round dining table with a hidden leaf that extends to seat six instead of four. Perfect! The butterfly extension leaf is stored inside the table itself, and only takes a minute or two to install. The leaf turns the circle into an oval, and we use it to seat six (or when we just want extra room for serving platters full of food). The round shape is great for our small space — no sharp corners makes it feel extra cozy.

We’ve had this dining table for years now, and we still love it just as much as we did the day we brought it home. It’s been used for those dinner parties I dreamed about, and has served as a spot for everyday meals and a makeshift desk when working from home (my husband even wrote his dissertation for his PhD here). 

Setting the table for a dinner party is one of my favorite things to do, and this table looks beautiful styled, whether it’s extended or not. Not to mention that extending the leaf can be done solo. I remember my parents had a table with an extendable leaf, but the leaf wasn’t attached, so it had to be stored elsewhere. It was also solid wood and incredibly heavy — definitely a two-person job to install it. Perhaps IKEA knew that fumbling with a heavy, detached leaf wasn’t ideal, because this leaf is simple, hides within itself, and is super easy to put together. 

I will say that there is some wear and tear on the top. Some of the white has chipped off in spots, but it’s simple to hide under a tablecloth or runner. We’ve had this table for almost 10 years and use it every day, so it’s no surprise there. It’s well-used and loved! We wouldn’t have it any other way. 

If you’re looking for a compact, extendable, budget-friendly dining room table for your apartment or small dining room, I highly recommend this IKEA gem. It’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to host in a smaller home, or perhaps has plans for growing their family. This table can grow with you! Our dining room table has been with us now for about a decade, and it’s turned into more than just a piece of furniture: It now holds memories my little family will treasure. Whether the leaf is tucked inside for an at-home date night, or extended for a birthday dinner, the ROSENTORP extendable table is a purchase I’d make again and again. 

Buy: IKEA ROSENTORP Extendable Table, $399.99